Chinese computer manufacturer Lenovo has announced that it will be cooperating with Novell for various models of its Thinkpad business laptop series with Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 pre-installed.

This is the first time that Lenovo will be offering support for the operating system in addition to hardware support. Novell will provide system updates. Lenovo is mainly targeting business customers with its Linux laptops, but the offer will also be open to private customers. According to a Lenovo press release, the machine will be a "Thinkpad T" model.

Both companies have cooperated on a joint research and development program for the past five years. Lenovo has offered various Linux certified laptop models and software tools for system optimization in the past.

Linux Thinkpads will be on display September 6 through 9 at Novell's booth at LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.